Robert A. Schuller

For other persons with similar names, see Robert Schuler.
Robert A. Schuller
Born Robert Anthony Schuller
(1954-10-07) October 7, 1954
Blue Island, Illinois, U.S.
Religion Christianity
(Reformed Church in America)

Robert Anthony Schuller (born October 7, 1954) is an American author, televangelist and pastor. He was formerly a minister on the Hour of Power weekly television program broadcast from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. He appeared on the program almost every week since 1976. He was installed as the senior pastor in January 2006. An ordained minister, Schuller is the only son of Crystal Cathedral founders Robert H. Schuller and Arvella Schuller. He is the best-selling author of Getting Through The Going Through Stage, Dump Your Hang Up's, Possibility Living and the New York Times best seller Walking in Your Own Shoes. He was the senior pastor of the Hour of Power and the Crystal Cathedral for nearly three years, from January 2006 to November 2008. According to the Hour of Power website, he resigned as senior pastor on November 29, 2008. He continues his ministry with Robert Schuller Ministries.

Life and ministry

Schuller was born in Blue Island, Illinois and raised in Garden Grove, California until 3rd Grade, when his family moved to Santa Ana where he attended Santa Ana High School. He then graduated in 1976 from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, with a bachelor's degree in ancient Civilization. He was also employed at the Crystal Cathedral, leading worship services on Sunday evenings, developing a 24-hour prayer group and organizing small group fellowships and appearing on the Hour of Power reading scripture and occasionally preaching. In 1980, Schuller became an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America, after receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He received an honorary doctorate degree from National Hispanic University in San Jose, California in 1996.[1] He received another honorary doctorate from the California Graduate School of Theology in 2008.

Schuller has four grown children, two granddaughters and two grandsons. He lives in Newport Beach, California. His oldest son, Bobby Schuller, is a graduate of Oral Roberts University, as well as having a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Bobby Schuller is currently the lead pastor for Shepherds Grove Church and the Hour of Power broadcast. His youngest daughter, Christina, graduated from the University of Southern California as a theater major in 2008. She is a mother, an actress, and a fitness instructor. She was a cast member during the first season of Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. Another daughter, Angie, is also a graduate of Oral Roberts University. She holds a graduate degree in counseling and became the first female and youngest Chaplain at Oral Roberts University. Angie and her husband Chris Wyatt have one daughter. His youngest son, Anthony, graduated from Vanguard University of Southern California and has been active in international mission work. Anthony is currently attending Southern California School of Science and will be a Doctor of Chiropractic. Schuller's first marriage ended in divorce in 1983 and he married his current wife, Donna, on November 10, 1984.[2]

In 1981, Schuller founded Rancho Capistrano Community Church in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he served as senior pastor for over 20 years. He also founded the Rancho Capistrano Conference Center in 1981.[1] In 1989, he established the Rancho Capistrano School, offering pre-school, elementary school and middle school.

In 1987, he raised the necessary funds to rebuild La Carbonera, Mexico, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Gilbert. He has taken more than 3,000 people on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. He continues to partner with several non-profit/charitable organizations which help people worldwide.

From 1995 to 2000, Schuller also hosted a one-hour live coast to coast radio show, which gained popularity. The program revolved around health and wellness and featured a number of guest stars, including Larry King, Robert Atkins, and Elizabeth Dole.

From 1976 to 2008 he was seen regularly on the Hour of Power program. Following his father's retirement as senior pastor in 2006, the consistory of the Crystal Cathedral voted to approve him as the new senior pastor (his father continued to serve on the board of the Hour of Power). For nearly three years, from January 2006 to November 2008, the Hour of Power had over 25 million viewers worldwide, making it the number one watched religious show and making him the most listened to orator in the world.

On October 25, 2008, his father announced that Schuller had been removed from the Hour of Power television program, citing "a lack of shared vision".[3] In a prepared statement, founder Robert H. Schuller stated that "different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry" with his son "made it necessary... to part ways in the Hour of Power television ministry".[4] It was subsequently announced on November 29, 2008, that Schuller had resigned from his position as senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral.[5]

Schuller was a pastor emeritus at Tree of Life Community Church, a church founded by the merging of Serrano Hills Community Church and the Gathering Church (founded by Schuller's son, Robert V. "Bobby" Schuller). Schuller is also involved in Bobby Schuller's "St. Patrick Project", a community outreach ministry.

On July 9, 2011, he launched Robert Schuller Ministries. Which hosts "The Call" on the 15th of every month at 6pm pacific time. People from around the world call 641-715-3865 and to participate the code is 642848#. Beginning with his book on the 12 steps, "Dump Your Hang Ups," Schuller has been focusing on alcohol and drug recovery. Currently he helps nearly 1500 people annually through detox and recovery. WWW.Schullerhelp.com

Preaching style

Like his father, Schuller emphasizes the teaching of "positive Christianity", sometimes called "positive gospel" (not to be confused with the Prosperity Gospel). It is argued in some schools of theological thought that doing so overemphasizes grace over holiness.

However, where his father's preaching tends to be heavier on psychological reference and lighter on scriptural reference, Schuller's messages rely considerably on scriptural reference, hermeneutics, and apologetics, making the role of "positivism" secondary and more in line with mainstream evangelicalism.

Business

Chris Wyatt and Dr. Schuller founded Comstar Media Fund, LP in 2008 to develop interactive technologies and purchase media properties during the financial crisis. Within 6 months, the fund had purchased two nationally distributed cable television networks (American Life and FamilyNet) as well as FamilyNet Radio. Shortly thereafter, the company founded Youtoo Technologies, LLC to continue to invent and patent groundbreaking technologies. In 2011, Comstar Media Fund, LP was rebranded Youtoo Media Fund, LP and the company launched the World’s first interactive TV network, Youtoo TV. Since 2011, the fund has divested both cable networks and is focused on monetizing the patent portfolio and interactive technologies.

Books

References

  1. 1 2 "About Robert A. Schuller". Crystal Cathedral. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
  2. ↑ "Notable evangelical preachers who divorced". The Tampa Tribune. 2007-08-24. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  3. ↑ "'Hour of Power' Preacher Removed by Father". News (Fox). 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  4. ↑ Schuller, Robert H (2008-10-26). "America’s Television Church ― The Church of Tomorrow" (news release). Crystal Cathedral. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  5. ↑ "Robert Anthony Schuller Steps Down as Senior Pastor of Crystal Cathedral Congregation" (press release). Crystal Cathedral. November 29, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.

External links

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